Evaluation of pH and deposition mechanisms effect on tin sulfide thin films deposited by chemical bath deposition. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Higareda-Sánchez, A.; Mis-Fernández, R.; Rimmaudo, I.; Camacho-Espinosa, E.; Peña, J.L.
• Is Part Of: Superlattices and microstructures. Volume 151(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Tin sulfide -- Chemical bath deposition -- pH -- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; Superlattices as materials -- Periodicals; Microstructure -- Periodicals; Semiconductors -- Periodicals; Superréseaux -- Périodiques; Microstructure (Physique) -- Périodiques; Semiconducteurs -- Périodiques; 621.38152
• DOI: 10.1016/j.spmi.2021.106831
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0749-6036

Abstract

Abstract: SnS thin films were chemical bath deposited at 65 °C, using pH values from 5.5 to 8.5, for 3 h. X-ray diffraction showed orthorhombic SnS thin films with preferential growth along (111) plane. The morphology of the thin films showed plate-like grains with some agglomerates. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy clearly showed peaks corresponding to SnS, additionally were detected small peaks associated to SnS2 and Sn. Furthermore, tin oxides peaks were revealed at higher pH values. The results found for SnS thin films deposited at the different pH values indicated that at the lower pH the dominant deposition mechanisms were ion-by-ion and complex decomposition, while they turn to the hydroxide aggregation mechanism as the pH increased. Finally, a superstrate solar cell (SLG/ITO/ZnO/CdS/SnS/Ag) was made using the SnS thin film deposited at pH = 5.5 as the absorber layer. The J-V characteristics of the solar cell were Voc = 0.104 V, Jsc = 0.160 mA/cm 2, FF = 38.48%, and η = 0.013%. Highlights: SnS has been deposited by chemical bath at 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 pH values. Hydroxide aggregation is the dominant deposition mechanism at the higher pH. XPS analysis also showed SnS2, Sn 0 for the lowest pH and SnOx for the highest. SnS deposited at pH = 5.5 presents the best properties for solar cells application. A solar cell was fabricated in the superstrate-configuration.